Arsenal told to seal Ward-Prowse signing after midfielder exit update – pundit
Arsenal should launch a move for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to Kevin Phillips.
The former Sunderland and England striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the 27-year-old would compliment Thomas Partey at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s squad is light in midfield after sanctioning the loan exit of Ainsley Maitland-Niles in January.
According to Football.London‘s Chris Wheatley (22 February), Granit Xhaka, 29, could leave the club this summer with a move to Roma “certainly possible.”
Xhaka has been a regular starter for the Gunners this season.
When asked who could replace Xhaka, Phillips told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need.
“Technically he is a very, very good player and he’s a dead-ball specialist. He’s the sort of player Arteta would love in his squad I imagine.
“Could they get him out of Southampton? That’s the question. He just signed a new deal and I think he’s happy there. It would be a big test if Arsenal could knocking though. He could be persuaded to join.
“Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need to be looking at in the summer. He’d compliment Partey well and let’s be honest, there’s not many better set-piece takers than him in the world.”
Ward-Prowse has contributed six goals and seven assists across all competitions for Southampton this season.
His contract at St. Mary’s runs until the summer of 2026.
In other news, an ex-Premier League referee has issued a ‘nailed on’ claim after Arsenal controversy is missed by VAR.